So,I have a Beltman leather, great of course and also will use the 511 two sided web belt. I was looking at the 511 Apex but the reviews are not good. Since I live in Florida now the leather gets a wee bit wet at times and was looking for something else. The 511 two sided is ok but has more flex in it now since I’ve had it a few years.
What I’m after is the buckle system like the 511 Apex but with either nylon or the polymer like the 511 or Magpul. Anyone have some leads on this animal?
The Ares Aegis has been my EDC belt for the last five months. I appreciate the adjustability of the buckle system. The double layer of scuba webbing is stiff enough to carry your EDC load with ease and yet is flexible enough for all day comfort.
I have an Apex gunners belt that works well for appendix, but is so so for owb.
I think what you are looking for is Biothane material? No experience with these (although that may change) and the buckle isn’t like either type of 5.11 Apex, but this is a hit that came up on Biothane gun belt search.
I’m not really a fan of the Aegis. I can’t remember if I have the normal or the other one (Pro maybe?) but I think it’s super overrated. Sure it works well as a belt and the buckle doesn’t slip, but the buckle is so massive that when I carry AIWB, the damn buckle prints. Can’t see the gun, but massive buckle is obvious, which looks super weird and definitely calls attention to the area. Also, the belt is so thick, that the few clips I have don’t close fully, which again, causes more printing if not other problems.
I have a metric crap-ton of belts. I have an Ares Aegis, and also an Aegis buckle with a Mean Gene leather belt. The Aegis buckle will not slide or loosen unless desired. Plan bathroom breaks accordingly.
As mentioned, the Ligar is not bad. I think it works well for AIWB, but not as well for strong-side IWB.
The belt I wear the most (when not in a suit) is the Graith Specialist made by Tony Mayer at JM Custom. Tony is good people, and I have two of those - one black, one grey.
Not cheap, but definitely quality goods. I wear those at work or church when in a suit.
Mod note: I paid for all these belts, and don’t get free shit from anyone. I am sure I have at least a grand worth of current gun belts hanging on my closet. Sigh…
If you aren’t stuck on that specific buckle and open to a cobra buckle I highly recommend G-Code belt system. It has an inner belt which I replaced the hook with ITW buckles but the outer and inner belt are top notch. I tried several belts before arriving at G-Code and would never consider changing. If the cobra buckle setup is a no-go, then this won’t work for you.
Expanding off my post above, I found out that I have an Aegis enhonaced. Maybe the regular version would be better, but I’m over it as a carry belt. I tried yesterday and it just doesn’t work in shorts and a t-shirt when carrying AIWB. I’m probably going to go back to the Volund belts. Not as attractive, but I used one for years as an EDC belt before the Ares, and I still use another one as my uniform belt. Very secure and low profile.
I don’t know where you guys are working/living where wearing an obvious “shoot me first” type belt is socially acceptable or reasonable. Anyone who has even passing knowledge of anything vaguely tactical will know a web belt for what it is at first glance. The First Spear First Lines are cool looking, tho, and aren’t as obvious.
My go to belt has been a Magpul Tejas. Hybrid belt designs have proven themselves to be a very worthy decision. When someone sees the belt, it takes an incredibly focused and trained eye to determine that the belt is designed to hold up a gun: you’d have to first see the belt loop holes, then note that the belt holes are closer than usual, and then realize that is because it is a bi-layer belt meant to support a firearm. Even close examination of your belt line won’t outwardly reveal what you’re wearing. Plus, the polymer layer that is against your pants won’t absorb any sweat, stretch, or significantly sag/roll.
If you’ve never tried a composite belt, specifically one made of two materials either in a bi-layer or with an inner core, you should consider them.
Double layer, all leather belts are just double the shitty material that will stretch, deform with moisture, sop on sweat, etc.
NB: I’ve worn the Tejas into court several times and received compliments regarding my belt specifically. From lawyers. CONCEALMENT is the operative word of concealed carry, and if a style conscious lawyer wants to know who made my belt, they aren’t thinking that it is holding up an RMR’d G19.